U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following video featuring Hurricane Michael survivors telling their personal stories, and asking Congress to put politics aside, and do its job. Even though the Category 5 storm devastated Florida’s Panhandle almost seven months ago, Congress continues to play politics instead of passing critical disaster funding for local communities still struggling to recover. For …
Peanut Market Update
Tyron Spearman has this week’s peanut market update. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026
Cotton Trust Protocol Signup Starts in June
Implementation is underway for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. It’s an integrated data collection, measurement and verification procedure that will document U.S. cotton production practices and their environmental impact. Executive Director of the Sustainability Protocol, Ken Burton, explains how the program was formed. The data is intended to benchmark farmers’ gains towards the industry’s goals, and provide the global textile supply …
USDA APHIS Launches Interactive Map to Help Livestock Producers
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) launched an interactive website that provides livestock producers with important information. The site contains web links for obtaining premises identification numbers (PIN) and location identifiers (LID) within livestock producers’ respective States. Federal PINs or state specific LIDs are unique codes permanently assigned to a physical location. …
Florida Legislature Expected to Wrap Session up Saturday
Florida lawmakers are expected to vote sometime Saturday afternoon on what ended up being a $91.1 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. According to the News Service of Florida, the budget was distributed at 1:32 p.m. Wednesday, triggering the start of a constitutionally required 72-hour “cooling off” period before the House and Senate can vote on …
Outlook for May China Agreement Positive
Optimism is growing that the U.S. and China could wrap up a trade agreement this month. Trade officials from the U.S. and China concluded talks in Beijing Wednesday with another critical round scheduled for next week in the United States. The Trump administration has appeared to be ready to walk away if an agreement isn’t reached soon. However, Treasury Secretary …
How ASF affects U.S. Pork Trade with China
There are no vaccines yet for African Swine Fever (ASF), but scientists are working to develop one. Of course ASF continues to be a major issue in China, and USDA Undersecretary Greg Ibach says he sees a recent uptick in Chinese demand for U.S. pork for that reason. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up …
Florida Beef Cattle Short Course is Next Week
The 2019 Florida Beef Cattle Short Course will be held May 8-10 at the Alto and Patricia Straughn IFAS Extension Professional Development Center in Gainesville. The premier educational event is designed for serious beef cattle producers in the Southeast. Discussions will be held concerning the beef cattle industry’s future direction, there will be information provided on management decision making skills, and new information about …
Alabama Extension Offers Insight on Center Pivot Irrigation Costs
Producers face difficult decisions day in and day out. Alabama Cooperative Extension System professionals have compiled information to help farmers consider all options when deciding whether to purchase and install irrigation equipment on the farm. Dr. Brittney Goodrich, an Alabama Extension economist, said irrigation can mitigate one of the largest risks in crop production. Center pivot irrigation investment and operating …
Lawmakers Back Homeowner Vegetable Gardens
The Florida House on Wednesday gave final approval to a measure that would prevent local governments from regulating homeowners’ vegetable gardens. The 93-16 vote will send the bill (SB 82) to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The issue stems from a dispute between homeowners Hermine Ricketts and Laurence Carroll and the village of Miami Shores over an ordinance that banned front-yard vegetable …